3/21/2013 |
Laird making Astros' roster decisions difficultThe Astros have several intriguing roster decisions to make in the 10 days prior to their March 31 opener, against the Rangers, and those have been made even more intriguing by the performance of infielder Brandon Laird.

3/21/2013 |
Blue Jays likely to use platoon at second baseIt appears as though the competition at second base between Maicer Izturis and Emilio Bonifacio will end in a tie. The evaluation is still ongoing, but the Blue Jays are leaning toward a platoon.

3/21/2013 |
Dodgers not short on options to replace HanleyFans may blame the World Baseball Classic for the loss of one of the Dodgers' most talented players, but the organization has prepared for a situation such as this by building depth in the infield. Nick Punto, Jerry Hairston Jr., and Dee Gordon are a few of the players who could help fill in for Hanley Ramirez.

3/21/2013 |
A's middle infield positions still up for grabsThere are 11 days left until the Athletics open the 2013 season against the Mariners, but manager Bob Melvin has yet to decide how the middle infield will be configured. On Thursday against the Reds, Jemile Weeks started at second base and Jed Lowrie was at shortstop.

3/21/2013 |
Castellanos powers up in annual charity gameAlex Castellanos hit a three-run homer as the Dodgers defeated the Cubs, 5-4, in the annual game to benefit the Christina-Taylor Green Foundation on Thursday. Stephen Fife allowed two earned runs on seven hits in six innings.

3/21/2013 |
To bounce back, Phils need Doc in top formYears ago, the late John Quinn, the Phillies' general manager at the time, called me aside and whispered: "Remember this: Spring Training performances are never as good as they look or as bad as they appear." Those words are as credible today as they were 50-plus years ago when I first heard them. They still ring in my ears.

3/21/2013 |
Up for Royals' fifth spot, Chen works five framesThursday was a day off for most of the Royals, but not for left-hander Bruce Chen. Chen pitched five innings for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, facing players from the Royals' Triple-A Omaha club, in an intrasquad game at the club's training complex.

3/21/2013 |
Jeter will be kept out of MLB spring gamesDerek Jeter will not appear in another Grapefruit League game this spring, according to general manager Brian Cashman, because the Yankees want to be able to backdate his injury if the shortstop must begin the season on the disabled list.

3/21/2013 |
Hip injury forces Green to sit outWhile Jeff Bianchi continues to miss time with hip and groin injuries, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke announced Thursday another of his infielders, Taylor Green, will sit out for at least a few days to recover from a hip issue he sustained Tuesday.

3/21/2013 |
Efficient Sale supported by sluggersChris Sale allowed three runs over seven innings and got plenty of offensive support as the White Sox downed the Brewers, 8-3, on Thursday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. Jeff Keppinger and Gordon Beckham homered and Alex Rios had two doubles and two RBIs.

3/21/2013 |
Reds not ready to announce Aroldis' roleReds manager Dusty Baker and GM Walt Jocketty on Thursday denied a report that they were prepared to name Aroldis Chapman as the club's closer for this season.

3/21/2013 |
Fan Cave has its starting nine for 2013The Opening Day lineup is set for the MLB Fan Cave, and you might want to get to know the nine newest occupants now because they will be prominent figures around Major League Baseball from now through the World Series.

3/21/2013 |
Reinsdorf raves about Robinson movie '42'White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf didn't need to search for many words in describing his feelings about the movie "42," which was screened for members of the organization Wednesday night.

3/21/2013 |
Hudson earns third Opening Day start with BravesKris Medlen might have already established himself as the rotation's ace. But as the Braves approach what has the potential to be a memorable season, they have decided to give veteran Tim Hudson the honor of being their Opening Day starter.

3/21/2013 |
Precautionary injection nothing new for MarcumReturning to camp on Thursday after a brief stay in New York, Mets right-hander Shaun Marcum insisted that the cortisone shot he received in his right shoulder was nothing more than a precaution.

3/21/2013 |
Manuel's plans do not include retirementPhillies manager Charlie Manuel wants to make sure people understand that he's not making plans to increase his fishing trips and tune up his golf game next year.